The Witcher Season 3, Episode 6: Jaw-Dropping Twists & Epic Reveals Unleashed in the Thanedd Coup

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for The Witcher season 3, part 2.

Summary

Episode 6 of The Witcher season 3 was an exceptional installment, showcasing breathtaking battles and major plot developments. This particular episode delved into the Thanedd coup, where the Brotherhood of Sorcerers was divided into two factions, igniting a mage civil war.

The Witcher season 3, episode 6 proved to be a brutal and unfortunate fight for Geralt. It was undoubtedly the standout episode of the season and one of the series' best. Dividing season 3 into two parts was a risky move, considering the previous seasons were released all at once on Netflix. However, ending part 1 on a cliffhanger was a worthwhile decision. Part 2 of The Witcher season 3 started off with a bang in episode 6, featuring long-awaited battles, awe-inspiring displays of power, and a significant shift in the story's direction.

9 The Witcher Season 3, Episode 6 Covered The Thanedd Coup's Battle

: Recap of The Witcher Season 3, Episode 6: "Everybody Has a Plan 'till They Get Punched in the Face"

After leaving viewers on a suspenseful note in the previous installment of The Witcher season 3, episode 6 delved deep into the heart of the Thanedd coup. This event, adapted from the pages of Time of Contempt, depicts the intense conflict that unraveled within the Brotherhood of Sorcerers during the Conclave of Mages. In a parallel to the source material, this episode showcased the division of the Brotherhood into two factions. One of these factions covertly pledged allegiance to Vilgefortz, a character who had secretly conspired with the White Flame from the very beginning. Driven by their dissatisfaction with the Brotherhood's diminishing political influence on the Continent, these mages aligned themselves with Nilfgaard. Notably, Tissaia remained oblivious to Vilgefortz's betrayal throughout this tumultuous period.

The remaining mages remained faithful to the North, instigating a civil war among the magical community. However, it was the actions of Dijkstra and Philippa that truly ignited the conflict of the Thanedd Coup, as they attempted to expose Vilgefortz and his allies. Unfortunately, their plan failed when Tissaia set Vilgefortz free. With Vilgefortz unleashed, the battle erupted, pitting Dijkstra, Philippa, and the Northern loyalists against Vilgefortz, the Nilfgaard supporters, and the Scoia'tael. This intense confrontation resulted in one of the most adrenaline-filled episodes of The Witcher series to date.

8 Why The Elves’ Scoia'tael Attacked Aretuza

In The Witcher season 3, part 1, Cahir recruited Francesca and her Scoia’tael soldiers under false pretenses, accusing Gallatin of treason. Cahir cunningly brokered an alliance between Nilfgaard and Francesca’s elves, who were now compelled to fight for the White Flame. Francesca, driven by a thirst for vengeance against humans and a desire to harness Ciri’s powers, found it advantageous to align herself with Nilfgaard, using their combined forces to launch an assault on the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, a symbolic representation of human strength. However, unbeknownst to Francesca, Emhyr was responsible for the tragic loss of her newborn child. The Scoia’tael suffered immense casualties during the Thanedd coup, including the untimely demise of Filavandrel.

7 Geralt Killed Rience (Easily)

6 Why Cahir Surrended Himself To Ciri

Rience met his demise in an unexpected and somewhat underwhelming manner in the sixth episode of season 3 of The Witcher. Although his death had been foreseen in the second part of season 3, the show deviated from the original source material. In the book, it is Ciri who dispatches Rience by severing his fingers and leaving him to freeze on a lake. However, in episode 6 of The Witcher, it was Geralt who swiftly beheaded Rience with a single stroke of his sword, a weapon that had been hurled at the Witcher by Yennefer.

Cahir, who has been faithful to Nilfgaard from the very start of the show and aided in the destruction of Ciri's home and family, submitted to the princess in The Witcher season 3. Amidst the chaos of the Thanedd coup, Cahir encountered Fringilla, who enlightened him about the significance of self-assurance and independent thinking. Consequently, Cahir disobeyed his orders and refrained from attempting to capture Ciri when he stumbled upon her and Geralt. Instead, he offered himself up to the Lion Cub of Cintra and willingly offered his life to her. Ciri spared Cahir, who valiantly stayed behind to confront their pursuers.

5 Ciri’s Hesitation Of Killing Set Up The Witcher Season 3’s Ending

Ciri had two opportunities to take a life in episode 6 of Season 3 of The Witcher. Either eliminating Rience or Cahir would have marked Ciri's first kill, but the show creators decided to save this pivotal moment for later in the season. In the grand finale of Season 3, Ciri finally experiences her first kill, a significant event that sets the stage for her journey in Season 4 of The Witcher. Presently, Ciri finds herself aligned with the Rats, a ruthless bandit group that has no qualms about killing. Despite Geralt's cautionary words to Ciri about the irreversible consequences of taking a life twice in one season, she determines to embark on an exceedingly controversial path.

4 Every The Witcher Character Who Died During The Thanedd Coup

Numerous characters from The Witcher met their demise during the Thanedd coup. While most of the deaths depicted in episode 6 of The Witcher season 3 were of lesser-known and unnamed individuals, several significant figures perished in the midst of the battle. These include Artorius, a long-standing member of the show since season 1; Gerhart, the eldest mage of the Brotherhood; Filavandrel, in a particularly gruesome scene; and Rience, just outside the premises of Aretuza. It is challenging to determine if Stregobor also met his end in episode 6 of The Witcher season 3, but his final scene certainly portrayed a sacrificial act.

3 How Powerful Is Tissaia? Alzur’s Thunder Explained

2 Ciri’s Transportation To Korath Separates Her From Geralt & Yennefer

demonstrated in season 3, episode 6 of The Witcher that Tissaia possessed the most formidable sorcery skills within the Brotherhood. Notably, even the dimeritium cuffs, designed to nullify magical abilities, proved powerless against her. Tragically, the Thanedd coup became a personal tragedy for Tissaia, as she blamed herself for the countless deaths that occurred during that fateful day. Unaware of Vilgefortz's true intentions, Tissaia placed her trust in him and unknowingly aided in the attack on her own home. The culmination of Tissaia's anger manifested in the final moments of the episode, as she harnessed Alzur's Thunder to summon lightning bolts and hurl them at her adversaries. The immense power required to wield Alzur's Thunder depleted Tissaia's own chaos, resulting in her hair turning white.

As Geralt and Vilgefortz battled inside Tor Lara tower, Ciri swiftly made her way inside. In a desperate attempt to capture her, Vilgefortz found himself pitted against Geralt. However, Ciri's escape route awaited her in the form of a mysterious portal known as the Benavent’s portal. Without hesitation, she passed through it, instantly whisking herself away to an unknown destination. When Ciri awoke, she found herself in the remote and desolate Korath desert, separated from the company of Geralt and Yennefer. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her extraordinary journey, one that would be explored in episodes 7 and 8 of The Witcher season 3. Now accompanied by the Rats, Ciri ventures forth on a daring and controversial expedition across the vast expanse of the Continent.

1 Vilgefortz vs. Geralt: Why The Witcher Lost So Badly

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Aside from the Thanedd coup battles, episode 6 of The Witcher season introduced a thrilling showdown between Vilgefortz and Geralt. The White Wolf engaged in combat with the powerful sorcerer in order to protect Ciri, but despite his efforts, he was bested by Vilgefortz, who effortlessly overpowered him with just a simple stick. This display of Vilgefortz's superiority should be considered, although it is important to note that Vilgefortz's use of magic gave him a significant advantage in countering Geralt's moves. Geralt's defeat mirrors the events in Time of Contempt, where he suffered severe injuries after his initial encounter with Vilgefortz.

If The Witcher season 4 sticks to the storyline of the books, there is a possibility of a rematch between Geralt and Vilgefortz. In such a scenario, it is expected that Liam Hemsworth would take on the role of Geralt, as Henry Cavill has departed from the show. Currently, Geralt is in the process of recovering from their first battle. It took him several days to regain his strength and a few more days to fully wield a sword again. The Geralt vs. Vilgefortz fight was eagerly anticipated by fans of The Witcher season 3, and the show did not disappoint in delivering this epic confrontation.